Unggoy
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Maybe next time someone will put the correct info instead of contradicting statements
History
Just plain dumbass grunts
Culture
Although the Unggoy culture has been largely wiped out as a result of constant indoctrination by the Covenant, they do retain a degree of their cultural identity as a result of their inherent tenacity. Of what is known, the Unggoy generally live in small, tribal societies which are typically defined as being matriarchal.[1] Unggoy family structure is polyamorous, with several male and female Unggoy living together.[2] On Balaho, Unggoy had to constantly produce food to ensure that they had enough stocked during the planet's winter seasons. On a near-daily basis, the corpses of those that succumbed to Balaho's plagues had to be burned to further prevent infections. Both of these problems were solved when the Unggoy were discovered by the Covenant.[3] Unggoy universally agree that their species is embodied by three pillars: ruggedness, agility, and lethality.[4] The wise Ang'napnap the Enlightened, the charismatic Awlphhum Who Became Tolerable, and the strategist Yayep the Archdeacon of Indolence are revered as historical heroes by the Unggoy.[5]
Many Unggoy are interested in human culture. During their service with the Covenant, Unggoy enjoyed trading human communication files, such as soap operas and sitcoms, through their own black market.[3] Unggoy often gamble with each other and often play games; one in particular, hunting rock, involves two Unggoy competing to kill the most scrub grubs.[6] Unggoy were also known to take recreational narcotics called infusions by adding them to their portable methane tanks.[7][8]
Role within the Covenant
- "But they are among the Covenant's most devoted seekers after the Great Journey, sacrificing themselves in great numbers on the battlefield, so prolific that more always seem ready to throw themselves under the altar of war."
- — From the Prophet of Clarity's Notes on the History of the Covenant, referring to the Unggoy[9]
Believed to be rather unintelligent by the San'Shyuum, Unggoy were generally forced to serve in laboring positions or deployed into battle as cannon fodder. During engagements, they were often deployed as the first wave of attack in ground campaigns or Unggoy were deployed in high numbers to undertake various types of operations.[10] Most Unggoy that served aboard Covenant warships were tasked with monitoring human communications, leading to most members of the species having a better grasp on English than other species.[3] The lower districts of High Charity housed a massive Unggoy population;[11] the Unggoy-inhabited portion of the districts was methane-rich so the Unggoy did not require methane tanks to breathe.[12]
The Unggoy's lowly position within the Covenant was based on racial bias rather than the species' inherent abilities.[1] The Unggoy were not represented on the Covenant High Council but were instead vetted by the Ministry of Concert, albeit poorly.[7] The Unggoy were mistreated by nearly every client species of the Covenant, except the Huragok. They were often treated as second-class citizens within Covenant society.[3] The Unggoy had a particularly tense relationship with the Kig-Yar, a race only ranked slightly higher in the Covenant hierarchy. Despite both species holding similar standings, the Kig-Yar were granted more independence and often favored over the Unggoy by other individuals in the Covenant. Unggoy were expected to revere Sangheili as the near-divine protectors of the San'Shyuum, however many Unggoy despised the Sangheili for mistreating their race.[13] While they were essentially a slave race, the Unggoy have managed to largely retain their cultural identities, and have rebelled in the past more than once. Before the Unggoy Rebellion of 2462, Unggoy were not given the right to use weapons in battle. When the rebellion proved to the Sangheili that Unggoy could be determined and competent fighters, they were given better training and weaponry, and integrated into formerly Sangheili-only units. Within the Unggoy community there is a general strong hatred of the other Covenant species, due to the fear they face. This causes many Unggoy to believe that someday a dynamic grunt will lead them to freedom on a methane-rich paradise world.[14]
Unggoy generally followed a few short, simple guidelines given to them by the Sangheili; for example, "When in doubt, shoot" or "Stay out of the way, live another day".[15] Despite being held in low regard by the Covenant, many Unggoy were strong followers of the Covenant religion and the Great Journey. Their Deacons would often hold sermons onboard ships to boost the morale and teach the Unggoy onboard about the Covenant. For instance, a Deacon named Dadab gave sermons and taught the Unggoy on board a Jiralhanae cruiser about the Covenant and its religion. The Jiralhanae allowed Dadab these teachings because they believed that it would help the Unggoy become more competent and helpful.[16]
| Example 1 of Unggoy speech |
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 Trouble with the audio sample?
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Language
Their native language is composed of dog-like barks, squeaks, and grunts. Though largely unintelligible to most humans, translation software is able to decipher the meanings of these.[17] The word "Unggoy" itself is not a word from their vocabulary, rather, it is the Sangheili name for their species.[18] Unggoy are also fully capable of speaking a variety of human languages, a fact in which they take great pride.[1]
Naming conventions
| Example 2 of Unggoy speech |
|---|
| Trouble with the audio sample?
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Unggoy often have names which reflect a language of very simple phonics. Common names, such as Yayap and Dadab, begin with a reduplicated consonant and consist of two syllables. Other names typically consist of a single syllable with clusters of consonants, such as "Flim". Some exceptions have occurred of which a name has more consonants than is usual while following the first method of naming, as in Kwassass. Often, their names are palindromes, such as Zawaz.
The Sangheili did not permit the Unggoy to retain family names during their service in the Covenant.[3] Instead, they formally identified themselves by the names and birthplaces of famous patriarchs within their family. This patriarch could be the Unggoy's uncle, grandfather, or even a mythical paterfamilias that was revered by their ancestors. An example of this identification method would be "Yayap, son of Pum. Of Balaho's blasted scablands."[19] Following the end of the Human-Covenant war, individual Unggoy serving under the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction have begun to use family names to identify themselves, such as Dimkee Hotay.
Homeworld and colonies
- Main article: Balaho
The Unggoy homeworld of Balaho is a temperate, swampy planet with a methane atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire. The planet is orbited by two natural satellites: Buwan and Padpad. A cold planet, temperatures on Balaho range from -33°C to 5°C (-27°F to 41°F).[1] The cold season of their planet makes them highly covet any source of warmth and light they can find, mainly due to the "blue death".[20] The planet is still in process of recovery from a global ecological collapse before the activation of the Halo Array due to over-industrialization caused by the Unggoy at the time.[1]
Since their natural environment has a methane atmosphere, Unggoy require methane tanks and breathing apparatus with them whenever they travel into areas without high levels of methane in the air. Since all the other races of the Covenant (as well as humanity) breathe oxygen, the Unggoy find themselves wearing breathing masks more often than not.[21] They sometimes inhabit large environment domes that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe while not in armor,[22] while those in military service often restock their methane reserves at battlefield recharge stations.[23] Unggoy have high-pitched and squeaky voices, possibly due to the different resonating properties of methane gas.
Unggoy populations also inhabit colonies of the former Covenant; a number of such worlds have fallen under the control of the Banished. On Balaho, the harsh environment of the planet typically weeds out psychologically aberrant individuals. On more hospitable worlds, however, Unggoy populations are able to grow without this natural culling process. The Banished take advantage of this, drawing psychotic and fanatical Unggoy specimens from these colonies to serve in their suicide squads.[24]
Military structure
Ranks
| Rank | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unggoy Leaders | ||
| Unggoy Imperial | 
|
The Unggoy Imperial rank is a rank that is mostly comprised of veteran Unggoy that served in the Human-Covenant war. They often will lead groups of Unggoy Storms into battle, and are sometimes accompanied by Unggoy Heavies. |
| Unggoy Ultra | 
|
These Unggoy serve as field commanders to their comrades, and wear distinctive white-lilac armor (reminiscent of the Sangheili Ultras). While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked Unggoy, they have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. They are stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw plasma grenades often, and wear heavier armor and a helmet that is required to be shot off first before an enemy can headshot them. |
| Grunt Specialists | ||
| Unggoy Ranger | 
|
A specialized group of Unggoy fully trained and armored for extra-vehicular activity. |
| Special Operations Unggoy | 
|
These Unggoy are experienced and specially-chosen, usually commanded by the special operations Sangheili, and are given distinctive jet-black armor. They are part of the Covenant Special Operations division of the Special Warfare Group. Just like the special operations Sangheili, they are able to use active camouflage. They are extremely skilled in warfare compared to their lower-ranked counterparts, and won't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They usually can be seen wielding fuel rod guns, and throw plasma grenades with great accuracy. Though some of them chose to side with the Sangheili during the Great Schism many remained within the Jiralhanae-led units loyal to the Prophets, wearing white armor similar to the Unggoy Ultra. Though Special Operation Unggoy Minors and Majors have no armor distinction (both wearing a jet-black or dark purple Combat Harness) Special Operation Unggoy Ultras are distinguished from their Unggoy Ultra counterparts by how their combat harnesses feature the 2-pronged methane tank, while other Unggoy Ultras feature the standard white point-tank version. |
| Unggoy Heavy | 
|
Heavies are specialized Unggoy that wear green colored armor and are often deployed for defensive actions.[25] Their primary purposes are to deploy plasma cannons and man them, although they are occasionally seen wielding fuel rod guns, plasma rifles, and even Spikers. |
| Grunt Infantry | ||
| Unggoy Major | 
|
Majors are more experienced than Unggoy Minors, and wear crimson colored armor. They command several Unggoy Minors and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous, though this difference is not always substantial. |
| Unggoy Storm | 
|
Storm Grunts are specialized shock troops. |
| Unggoy Minor | 
|
Unggoy Minors are the lowest ranking Unggoy. They wear orange colored armor and are often the least dangerous, most cowardly, and inaccurate marksmen of all the Unggoy. When their commanding officer is killed, they routinely break formation and flee; however, they will regroup and start firing at their target again. As is fitting for Jiralhanae behavior, Unggoy under the command of the Jiralhanae are substantially more aggressive. |
Other titles and roles
Deaconship is the only position open to the Unggoy in the Ministry of Tranquility. Unlike many other roles available to the Unggoy, this rank does not often involve combat or hard manual labor, though they have been known to carry around plasma pistols and Needlers.[26]
Some Unggoy are also known to serve as merchants and are well-respected in the Covenant hierarchy. During the Ascension ceremony of the Covenant's last triumvirate of Hierarchs, a Yanme'e queen, Kig-Yar Shipmasters, and Unggoy traders were present. It was also said that their harnesses were adorned with large jewels.[27]
While regular Unggoy infantry occasionally choose to employ suicide attacks out of desperation, the Covenant were also known to purposefully assign select fanatical Unggoy squads to use such attacks as their primary offensive tactic against the enemy.[28][29] The Banished later adopted similar tactics.[24]
The Heretic Unggoy followed their Sangheili organizers in a rebellion against the Covenant's Prophets. They started as members of an artifact retrieval group led by the Sangheili Sesa 'Refumee.[30]
Jockeys operate Unggoy-manufactured Goblin battlesuits or other vehicles,[4] such as Type-32 Ghosts or Type-54 Ghosts.
Gameplay
- Main article: Unggoy/Gameplay
|
See our gameplay information related to Unggoy on its gameplay page. |
Overall, the Unggoy in gameplay are very weak in combat; often fleeing when their leader has been killed. However, in larger numbers, they can be more of a threat, especially in higher difficulties. If their leader is killed, Unggoy may sometimes activate two plasma grenades and rush to the player in an attempt to suicide-bomb them.
In Halo Wars, the Unggoy serves as the main infantry unit, serving as the Covenant equivalent to the Marine. They start with a plasma pistol and three in each squad, but they can be upgraded to wield needlers.
A melee attack can kill a Grunt instantly, so when you face no more than 5 of them, don't waste your ammo and just punch them. For large groups use the Gravity Hammer, unless the catch skull is on meaning you have to stay outside their range, as even in close-range the Grunts will not hesitate to spam-grenades at the enemy.
Trivia
| Language | Equivalent |
|---|---|
 French |
Template:Explain in Halo: Combat Evolved. Template:Explain in all media since Halo 2. |
 Spanish |
Template:Explain in all media since Halo: Combat Evolved. |
|
Check out our collection of quotes related to Unggoy on its quotes page. |
|
Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
- In Tagalog, Unggoy means "monkey".
- In real life, "Grunt" is a slang military term for infantrymen.[31]
- The Unggoy were ranked #5 in Game Informer's "The Top 10 Most Pathetic Enemies" list.[32]
- In Halo: Reach, Unggoy voices were changed. Instead of their original high-pitched and squeaky voices, they sound more deep and mechanical, possibly because of their breathing apparatus. However, they are still being voiced by Joseph Staten.[33]
- In Halo: Reach, if an Unggoy's methane tank is shot or meleed it may fall off, causing the gas to launch said Unggoy into the air and eventually explode. Many players consider this a great hazard, especially on higher difficulties.
- The redesigned Unggoy that appear in Halo 4 bear a great deal of resemblance to the wretches from the Gears of War series.
- The Grunt appeared in Konami's Super Bomberman R as one of the three exclusive characters in the Xbox One version. He is known as Grunt Bomber, a specie of the Covenant from Planet Halo. He is a speed typed bomber and his special ability is the Plasma Pistol.
Gallery
Concept art of an Unggoy's face for Halo: Combat Evolved.
Concept art of Unggoy.
More concept art of Unggoy.
A comparison among Unggoy in the Halo Trilogy and Halo: Reach.
Armor variants for the Unggoy in Halo: Combat Evolved.
An Unggoy without his mask in the Halo 2 Official Strategy Guide, showing the species' sharp teeth which make them slightly intimidating.
A Heretic Unggoy, clad in unique gold armor, with a Needler in Halo 2.
An Unggoy Minor in Halo 2.
A cylindrical-backed Unggoy as seen in The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor.
A Brute Captain leads a pack of Unggoy in the Earth bunker Crow's Nest in an early build of Halo 3.
An Unggoy in Halo 3.
The face of an Unggoy Minor.
An Unggoy Minor firing a plasma turret on board a Scarab.
Concept art of an Unggoy for the Blur cinematics in Halo Wars.
Model concept art of an Unggoy Minor in Halo Wars.
A cinematic model of an Unggoy in Halo Wars.
In-game model of an Unggoy squad in Halo Wars.
Unggoy single and dual-wielding plasma rifles in Halo Legends: The Package.
Three happy Unggoy Minors in Halo: Blood Line.
An Unggoy Minor in Halo: Reach.
An Unggoy Ultra in Halo: Reach.
An Unggoy Minor in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
Concept art of an Unggoy's face for Halo 4.
An Unggoy Storm in Halo 4.
Unggoy Minors in Halo 2: Anniversary.
An Unggoy Imperial and Unggoy Storm in Halo 5: Guardians.
Swords of Sanghelios Unggoy Storm standing around a fire on Sanghelios.
Unggoy trapped by 031 Exuberant Witness on Genesis.
Concept art of Unggoy for Halo Wars 2.
Concept art for an unused Unggoy cyborg for Halo Wars 2.
A Grunt Squad with Brute leader in the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta.
Blitz card of one Unggoy phenotype in Halo Wars 2.
Blitz card of another Unggoy phenotype.
Blitz card of both phenotypes being frozen by cryo.
Grunt squads with Elite leaders in Halo Wars 2.
Grunt squads led by Brutes and Elites respectively fight in Halo Wars 2 multiplayer.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b c d e Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbuzz - ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Haze of Glory
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, pages 89-90
- ^ a b Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedch150 - ^ Halo: The Thursday War, pages 186-187
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 187
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedwaypointarticle - ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 261
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 149
- ^ Halo: The Flood, pages 35-36 (2010 edition)
- ^ Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page 162 (2010 edition)
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 226
- ^ Conversations from the Universe
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 191
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedch307 - ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedgoo237 - ^ Halo: The Flood, page ???
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page 60
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 303
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder Issue 96 - THE ART OF WAR(S)
- ^ Halo 2, level Gravemind
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 50
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 381
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 350
- ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Exodus
- ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
- ^ Grunt on Wikipedia
- ^ GameInformer: Top five video game punching bags.
- ^ Bungie.net : Bungie Weekly Update 4.16.10
